Thanks for replying.

Not really bothered about what engine to be honest, it was just the petrol ones within budget!

We did realise the newer one will be worth squat after we're done with it - we'd like to keep it for 4/5 years but I wasn't sure if the older one would also be worth squat? As there's very little in price between the two it's making it so difficult to decide! If the newer one was a couple of thousand more we wouldn't even consider it but it's just seems such a tempting price!

BMW's will easily take the mileage if serviced correctly but as GB says it depends how concerned you are with selling it on at high mileage for peanuts. I bought my E36 shape at 114000 miles and six years later sold at 158000 miles knowing I wouldn't get much for it. But the car was running beautifully.

The drivetrains are extremely strong but at high miles you'll have to expect to start replacing suspension bushes, shocks e.t.c.

To get a decent low mileage car with FSH you need a good budget unfortunately.

Edited by corax on 10/09/2011 at 21:22

Edited by PhilDS on 11/09/2011 at 14:41

I've just bought an 07 318d touring privately (saw it on Pistonheads). Paid rather more for it than you are looking to spend I think, but would recommend it wholeheartedly - even though it's still early days!

For what it's worth, I went for a diesel not only for the fuel economy but as much because they seem to be more popular and I hope that will make it easier to sell on, if and when the time comes.